GALMUDUG CRISIS: Anti-Haaf faction demands he drops Saudi support ahead of talks

The pro-ouster motion faction in the Galmudug political crisis Wednesday tabled pre-conditions for talks which included a demand that the state president Ahmed Geele Haaf unequivocally rescind his Saudi-UAE support in the Gulf dispute, Goobjoog News has learnt.

Sources privy to the developments in Adado told Goobjoog News the faction led by state assembly speaker Ali Ga’al Asir and  deputy president Mohamed Haashi Arabay demanded that Haaf drop his stance on the Gulf issue before talks started forcing a day long negotiations on the pre conditions.

“No formal talks on the political crisis started yesterday. All that went on was discussing the pre-conditions meaning it was just a negotiation on how to negotiate,” the source who requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the talks said.

Haaf had declared his support for the Saud-UAE mid this month a move endorsed by his cabinet Tuesday the same day the vote which sought to oust him took place in a hotel room in Adado. Haaf has stood his ground on the Gulf issue, sources said.

The demands to drop his Gulf position comes a week after Haaf’s return from Abu Dhabi.

The Arabay-Asir faction also demanded the president unreservedly apologises to the duo for what they said was house arrest last week denying them the chance to work including taking part in the parliamentary process Tuesday.

The Federal Government Tuesday evening in its reaction to the ouster vote condemned Haaf for what it termed as violation of the duo’s constitutional rights of and liberty of movement and called for unconditional end to the restrictions.

Before the talks can commence, the source said, the deputy president and the speaker also demanded the president respect and recognise the Federal Government and all its authority thereof.

It was not immediately clear if Haaf acceded to the demands but sources said the meeting dragged on into the wee hours of Wednesday morning.

Talks continue today.